A™'ctoher1Pi9OTl!ni*}     American  Pharmaceutical  Association.  467 
methods  of  examination  fall  short  in  determining  a  candidate's  com- 
petency. Questions,  even  with  ample  time  at  the  disposal  of  a 
Board,  and  the  wide  range  from  which  they  may  be  selected,  are, 
after  all,  but  a  very  imperfect  test  of  real  knowledge.  The  present 
system  of  examination,  making  75  per  cent,  or  more  consist  of 
written  questions,  is  entirely  wrong.  A  recent  graduate,  or  one  who 
has  '  crammed '  from  one  of  the  many  '  quiz  compends,'  could  pass 
such  an  examination,  but  what  could  he  '  do  ?  '  This  can  not  be 
determined  in  the  short  time  allotted  for  such  examination.  Five 
days,  at  least,  should  be  given  for  the  examination  and  the  practical 
demonstration  of  the  candidates'  ability.  Of  this  at  least  75  per  cent, 
should  consist  of  laboratory  and  prescription  work.  The  laboratory 
work  should  consist  of  assay  processes,  the  preparation  and  stand- 
ardization of  test  solutions,  also  to  the  application  of  tests  to  deter- 
mine the  purity  of  the  various  articles  submitted.  The  prescription 
work  should  be  of  a  character  to  test  the  knowledge  as  well  as  the 
skill.  This  would  make  the  grade  of  registered  pharmacist  much 
more  difficult  to  reach,  but  if  we  ever  expect  to  elevate  the  practice 
of  pharmacy  to  a  proper  professional  standard,  we  will  have  to  pro- 
ceed along  these  lines.  If  the  pharmacist  hopes  to  maintain  his 
professional  status— and  we  assume  that  this  is  his  desire — he  must 
put  himself  on  a  level  with  his  co-laborer  and  ofttimes  chief  com- 
petitor, the  physician  ;  higher  standards  and  more  rigid  examinations 
are  required.  I,  therefore,  urge  that  this  association  put  itself  on 
record  at  this  time  as  being  in  favor  of  a  higher  educational  standard 
and  more  rigid  and  extended  examinations  by  the  Boards  of  Phar- 
macy. Also  that  this  association  use  its  best  efforts  with  the 
different  State  Legislatures  to  that  effect." 
In  a  series  of  recommendations  which  pertained  mostly  to  the 
internal  workings  of  the  association,  appeared  the  following  :  "  I 
recommend  that  manufacturers  of  such  articles  as  aqua  ammonise, 
acetic,  nitric  and  other  acids,  be  urged  to  abandon  their  archaic 
methods  of  branding  and  to  adopt  modern  methods  for  stating  per- 
centage contents.  F.,  FF.,  FFF.,  FFFF.,  etc.,  may  have  conveyed  a 
definite  idea  as  to  strength  fifty  years  ago,  but  to-day  are  entirely 
without  meaning.  Branding  by  degrees  Baume  is  also  unsatisfac- 
tory, as  this  requires  conversion  to  ascertain  the  strength. 
"  We  should  offer  due  notice  and  after  a  specified  time  refuse  to 
accept  such  goods  unless  properly  labeled. 
